AT&T And BUG Labs Partner For 3G Integration Into DIY Gadgets

BUG Labs. Ever heard of them? Sure you have. Verizon and the EU gave
them the thumbs-up earlier in the year, and now AT&T is as well. BUG
Labs is best known for selling small electronic component kits that can
be used to build all sorts of DIY gadgets, gizmos and modules. For
years, the company has mostly been going at it alone, but recently a few
partnerships have been announced that will hopefully bring the hobby to
the mainstream.

AT&T and BUG Labs have announced the company's latest partnership,
with intentions to launch BUG + 3G/GSM, a plug-and-play electronic
tool kit that puts
network ready wireless modules in the hands of emerging device product
developers for a speedier, more cost-efficient path to commercial launch
on AT&T's network.

The device will be made available through AT&T's Emerging Devices
marketplace, and it will provide developers with easy
access to a full complement of FCC and
AT&T certified 3G wireless modules, reducing the need for extended
and costly testing and certification during the initial deployment
phase. This means that BUG devices will have an easier time getting on
AT&T's network, and there's nothing quite like a DIY gadget with
built-in 3G!

Also, developers can collect, share and control the data
coming from
networked BUGs using the new BUGswarm web application, now fully
integrated with the AT&T Control Center. The kit itself includes
AT&T SIM cards, data capacity for testing, access to
AT&T Control Center, but no exact pricing details have yet been
published. Definitely a move in the right direction for DIY gadget
builders, though!

AT&T and Bug Labs Arm Device Developers with New Wireless Product Development PlatformIntegrated system designed to save developers time and money using the GSM world standard — exclusively with AT&TAT&T* and Bug Labs, an award-winning open hardware development platform, today announced plans to launch BUG + 3G/GSM, a plug-and-play electronic tool kit that puts network ready wireless modules in the hands of emerging device product developers for a speedier, more cost-efficient path to commercial launch on the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network.The BUG platform -- accessible through AT&T Emerging Devices -- offers a new, innovative approach to device innovation, providing developers with easy access to a full complement of FCC and AT&T certified 3G wireless modules, reducing the need for extended and costly testing and certification during the initial deployment phase. Some additional testing may be required if changes are made in volume production.In addition to unprecedented hardware configurability, developers can collect, share and control the data coming from networked BUGs using the new BUGswarm web application, now fully integrated with the AT&T Control Center, powered by Jasper Wireless.“With Bug Labs, developers now have the ability to test and trial their products in the sandbox while they are in the nascent stages of development,” said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. “As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation, we’re eliminating the certification barriers that have kept some developers from jumping into the game. We’re encouraging product developers to bring the next generation of new and exciting products to market as soon as possible.”Products with Bug Labs modules must secure final certification on the AT&T network.“Together with AT&T, we’re inspiring developers around the world to tap into their creativity,” said Peter Semmelhack, founder and chief executive officer of Bug Labs. “By leveraging our open product development program, product developers can build, deploy, produce and certify wireless devices at a practical, faster rate.” The addition of Bug Labs builds on the existing AT&T Connection Kit for Device Developer program available through the dedicated AT&T emerging devices web site. The Connection Kit also includes AT&T SIM cards, data capacity for testing, access to AT&T Control Center, powered by Jasper Wireless and best practice guidelines. To learn more about AT&T’s Emerging Devices Organization or to see the additional Connection Kit options, please visit AT&T Emerging Devices.For more information about Bug Labs, visit the Bug Labs Web site.